Receipt data processing device and method for processing receipt data

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, a receipt data processing device includes a data generating section, an output section, and a converting section. The data generating section is configured to generate receipt data of a first data format including information about an item purchased by a customer. The output section is configured to output the receipt data to at least one of a printing device and an external device that is different from the printing device. The converting section is configured to convert a data format of the receipt data from the first data format to a second data format that is different from the first data format when the receipt data is output to the external device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2013-082514, filed Apr. 10, 2013, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a receipt dataprocessing device and a method for processing the receipt data.

BACKGROUND

In the related art, a technology of an electronic receipt is known. Anelectronic receipt is electronically delivered to a mobile terminal, orthe like owned by a customer from a store when a purchase transaction ofmerchandise is completed. One system of the related art issues either aconventional paper receipt or the electronic receipt based on thecustomer's selection of whether the receipt is output physically orelectronically.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an overall configuration of anelectronic receipt system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a screen of a mobile terminaldisplaying a code symbol corresponding to a member code of a customer.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of functional units of a POS terminal.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of functional units of an electronic receiptserver.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of functional units of an electronic receiptmanaging server.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of functional units of a mobile terminal.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram when processing the electronicreceipt in the POS terminal.

FIG. 8 is a diagram which schematically illustrates an example ofnon-structured receipt data.

FIG. 9 is a diagram which schematically illustrates an example ofstructured receipt data.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of processing of the electronic receipt carriedout by the POS terminal.

FIG. 11 is a diagram which illustrates examples of output destinationselection screens which are displayed on a display unit of the POSterminal.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of electronic receipt managing processing andinformation transmission processing carried out by the electronicreceipt server.

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram related to the electronic receiptmanaging processing and merchandise information transmission processingcarried out by the electronic receipt managing server.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the electronic receipt managing processing andmerchandise information transmission processing in the electronicreceipt managing server.

FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram related to electronic receiptreception processing and electronic receipt reading processing carriedout by the mobile terminal.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the electronic receipt reception processingand the electronic receipt reading processing carried out by the mobileterminal.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example of the electronic receipt which isdisplayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to one embodiment, a receipt data processingdevice includes a data generating section, an output section, and aconverting section. The data generating section is configured togenerate receipt data of a first data format including information aboutan item purchased by a customer. The output section is configured tooutput the receipt data to at least one of a printing device and anexternal device that is different from the printing device. Theconverting section is configured to convert a data format of the receiptdata from the first data format to a second data format that isdifferent from the first data format when the receipt data is output tothe external device.

Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described based on drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates the entire configuration of an electronic receiptsystem according to the embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, theelectronic receipt system includes a Point of Sales (POS) terminal 1, astore server 2, an electronic receipt server 3, an electronic receiptmanaging server 4, a promotion setting terminal 5, a promotion managingserver 6, and a mobile terminal 7.

The POS terminal 1 and the store server 2 are provided in a store P1.The POS terminal 1 and the store server 2 are connected to be able tocommunicate through an in-store network N1 such as a Local Area Network(LAN). In addition, the POS terminal 1 and the store server 2 may beconnected to a network N2 through which the store P1 and a head officeP2 are connected with each other, with a network device (not shown) suchas a router which is connected to the in-store network N1. Here, thenetwork N2 is, for example, an exclusive line such as the Internet, or aVirtual Private Network (VPN).

The POS terminal 1 is a merchandise sales data processing device whichexecutes merchandise sales data processing. The POS terminal 1 generatesreceipt data including transaction contents of merchandise to besettled, and a paper receipt corresponding to the receipt data isprinted by a printer 13, which will be described below. In addition, thePOS terminal 1 outputs (transmits) an electronic receipt of which dataformat is converted from that of the receipt data to the electronicreceipt server 3 through the network N2. A method of transmitting theelectronic receipt is not particularly limited, and the transmission maybe performed using a general-purpose protocol such as HTTP, HTTPS, orthe like. In addition, the number of POS terminal 1 which is provided inthe store P1 is not particularly limited, and a plurality of theterminals may be used.

The store server 2 generally performs a management of data such as themerchandise sales data generated by the POS terminal 1. For example, thestore server 2 stores and manages merchandise sales data which isgenerated through the merchandise sales data processing performed by thePOS terminal 1, or stores and manages a merchandise data sales file, orthe like, which is used in the merchandise sales data processing.

In addition, the number of POS terminal 1 arranged in the store P1 isnot particularly limited, and a plurality of the terminals may be used.In addition, according to the embodiment, a configuration in which thePOS terminal 1 converts the data format of the receipt data isdescribed; however, it is not limited to this. The receipt data which isgenerated by the POS terminal 1 may be output to the store server 2, ora conversion device (not shown), and the data format of the receipt datamay be converted there.

The electronic receipt server 3 is provided in the head office P2 of acompany which manages one or more stores or chain stores (hereinafter,referred to as stores), and functions as a receipt managing server for acompany which manages receipt data of the company. The electronicreceipt server 3 has a function of, for example, sales management, salesanalysis, inventory control, or the like of the company.

In addition, the electronic receipt server 3 receives the electronicreceipt which is transmitted from the POS terminal 1 through the networkN2. In addition, the electronic receipt server 3 transmits the receivedelectronic receipt to the electronic receipt managing server 4 through anetwork N3 through which the head office P2 and an electronic receiptcenter P3 are connected.

Here, the network N3 is, for example, an exclusive line such as theInternet, a VPN, or the like. In addition, a method of transmitting theelectronic receipt is not particularly limited, and the transmission maybe performed using a general-purpose protocol such as HTTP, HTTPS, orthe like.

The electronic receipt managing server 4 is provided in the electronicreceipt center P3. The electronic receipt center P3 is, for example, atrusted third party that is different from the company which manages thereceipt data in the electronic receipt server 3. In addition, thetrusted third party, or the like, may also manage the electronic receiptserver 3.

The electronic receipt managing server 4 functions as a customer receiptmanaging server which collectively manages receipt data of variouscompanies each of which manage stores. The electronic receipt managingserver 4 stores member data such as a name of each customer (member) whoperformed a membership registration according to a procedure, which willbe described below, a membership code, or destination information (forexample, email address) of the mobile terminal 7 which is a destinationof the electronic receipt, or the like, in a member master of a databaseDB, and manages thereof. In addition, a member managing server, or thelike, which stores the member data, and manages thereof may be providedseparately from the electronic receipt managing server 4.

In addition, the electronic receipt managing server 4 receives theelectronic receipt which is transmitted from the electronic receiptserver 3 through the network N3, stores the electronic receipt in anelectronic receipt managing region 43 a which is maintained in thedatabase DB, and will be described below, and manages the electronicreceipt. More specifically, the electronic receipt includes elementssuch as membership codes in addition to transaction contents ofmerchandise (merchandise sales data), and is managed by being correlatedwith the member data of a corresponding member.

In addition, the electronic receipt managing server 4 receivesadditional information such as campaign information related to acampaign of a specific merchandise from the promotion setting terminal 5which is connected through a network N4 which will be described below,stores the additional information in an additional information managingregion 43 b which is maintained in the database DB, and will bedescribed below, and manages the information. More specifically, theadditional information is managed by being correlated with elementscorresponding to a predetermined condition among elements included inthe electronic receipt stored in the database DB.

In addition, when storing the electronic receipt in the database DB, theelectronic receipt managing server 4 specifies a destination (mobileterminal 7) by referring to destination information which is correlatedwith a membership code of the electronic receipt. In addition, theelectronic receipt managing server 4 transmits the electronic receiptwhich is stored in the database DB to the destination through a networkN5 which will be described below. In addition, when additionalinformation is correlated with the electronic receipt, the additionalinformation is also transmitted to the destination.

In addition, when receiving an inquiry of an electronic receipt fordesignating a membership code from the mobile terminal 7 which isconnected through the network N5 which will be described below, theelectronic receipt managing server 4 extracts an electronic receiptcorresponding to the membership code from the database DB, and transmitsthe electronic receipt to the mobile terminal 7. In addition, whenadditional information is correlated with the electronic receipt, theadditional information is also transmitted to the mobile terminal 7which made the inquiry.

The promotion setting terminal 5 and the promotion managing server 6 areprovided at a consumer goods manufacturer P4, or the like. The promotionsetting terminal 5 is a terminal device such as a personal computer(PC), and transmits additional information to the electronic receiptmanaging server 4 through the network N4. Here, the network N4 is anexclusive line such as the Internet, a VPN, or the like, for example. Inaddition, a method of transmitting the additional information is notparticularly limited, and the transmission may be performed using ageneral-purpose protocol such as HTTP, HTTPS, or the like.

The mobile terminal 7 is, for example, a terminal device such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a tabletcomputer which is used by a user (customer) of the system. The mobileterminal 7 is provided with an application such as a web browser mountedtherein for displaying various pieces of information which are providedon the network N5. In addition, a terminal device such as a PC may beused instead of the mobile terminal 7.

The mobile terminal 7 performs a request for a membership registrationin the system by accessing the electronic receipt managing server 4through the network N5. Here, the network N5 is the Internet, or apublic network of various types.

Meanwhile, the membership registration of a customer in the system isperformed, for example, according to the following order. A customersends a blank mail to the electronic receipt managing server 4 throughthe network N5 from the mobile terminal 7. The electronic receiptmanaging server 4 sends a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of a page for amembership registration to the received mail address. The mobileterminal 7 displays an input screen for inputting information necessaryfor the membership registration (name, destination information, or thelike) when the customer selects the URL of the page for the membershipregistration displayed on the mobile terminal 7. After the necessaryinformation is input by the customer, the electronic receipt managingserver 4 executes the membership registration with respect to the membermaster. Thereafter, the electronic receipt managing server 4 delivers amembership registration completion mail including a membership code(customer code) and a password with respect to the mobile terminal 7. Inthis manner, the membership registration is ended.

After the above described membership registration, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the mobile terminal 7 displays a code symbol CS, such as abarcode or a two-dimensional code, corresponding to the membership codeof the customer on a display unit 73. The customer presents the codesymbol CS which is displayed on the mobile terminal 7 to a salesclerkwhen settling a transaction in the store P1. The salesclerk operates acode scanner 15 (shown in FIG. 3) which is connected to the POS terminal1 to read the code symbol CS which is displayed on the mobile terminal7. In this manner, it is possible to associate a membership code of acustomer with receipt data which is generated after settling due to themerchandise sales data processing in the POS terminal 1.

In addition, the mobile terminal 7 receives an electronic receipt of thetransaction which is transmitted from the electronic receipt managingserver 4 through the network N5, after the settling (transaction) by thePOS terminal 1. After a request for electronic receipt designating amembership code is transmitted to the electronic receipt managing server4 through the network N5, the mobile terminal 7 receives the electronicreceipt of the member from the electronic receipt managing server 4. Inaddition, the mobile terminal 7 displays the received electronic receipton the display unit 73 which will be described below (refer to FIG. 17).

In addition, when additional information is correlated with the receivedelectronic receipt, the mobile terminal 7 displays an icon of campaigninformation based on the additional information (refer to FIG. 17). Forexample, it is possible to set a hyper link to a connection destination(URL, or the like) of the campaign information (for example, a promotionmanaging server 6) in the icon. In this case, when receiving a requestfor an operation of the icon, the mobile terminal 7 accesses thepromotion managing server 6 through the network N5, and displays thecampaign information.

The promotion managing server 6 is a server device which is accessed bythe mobile terminal 7 connected through the network N5. The promotionmanaging server 6 includes an entry master which manages an accesshistory of each type of campaign in correlation with a membership codefor identifying each member. When receiving an access from the mobileterminal 7 to the campaign through the network N5, the promotionmanaging server 6 manages the access history of each type of campaign incorrelation with a membership code. In addition, when accessing thepromotion managing server 6, the mobile terminal 7 transmits amembership code related to a user (member) of the own terminal which isincluded in the receipt data, or the like.

In the electronic receipt system with the configuration, an electronicreceipt (receipt data) denoting transaction (settlement) contents whichare generated by performing the merchandise sales data processing in thePOS terminal 1 of the store P1 is transmitted to the electronic receiptmanaging server 4 through the electronic receipt server 3, and ispublished on the website. Accordingly, the mobile terminal 7 which isprovided with a web browser embedded therein may display the receiptdata which is published on the website by downloading the data to themobile terminal 7 by accessing the to the website using a UniformResource Locator (URL). In addition, the receipt data may be displayedwith another application for displaying the receipt data on the mobileterminal 7.

Subsequently, a specific configuration of devices which make up theelectronic receipt system according to the embodiment will be described.

First, the POS terminal 1, which is a merchandise sales data processingdevice, will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram which illustrates aconfiguration of the POS terminal 1. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the POSterminal 1 includes a control unit 11 which performs various arithmeticcalculations and integrally controls each unit of the POS terminal 1.The control unit 11 is a computer which includes a Central ProcessingUnit (CPU), a Read Only Memory (ROM) which stores various programs orpieces of data, a Random Access Memory (RAM) which temporarily storesvarious programs, or stores various pieces of data in a freelyrewritable manner, a Real Time Clock (RTC) unit for clocking currentdate and time, and the like.

The control unit 11 is connected to an operation unit 12, a printer 13,a display unit 14, and a code scanner 15 through a bus 18.

The operation unit 12 includes various keys with which an operatorperforms an operation input. As the operation keys, for example, thereare a numeric key for inputting numerical values, a cursor key, or aselection and determination key for selecting a predetermined item, asubtotal key which commands an output of a total purchase price ofmerchandise of which a sales registration in a transaction is performed,a settlement key for declaring a settlement of the purchase byperforming a settlement processing of one transaction, and the like.

The printer 13 is a printing unit for performing printing of a receipt,a journal, or the like. The printer 13 includes a cutting mechanism (notshown) which cuts a sheet such as rolled paper as a printing target, andcuts the sheet according to a cut command which will be described below.

The display unit 14 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, or thelike, and displays various pieces of information such as a name ofmerchandise which is registered for sales, a price, a total amount ofone transaction of which a settlement is declared, and a change sum. Thedisplay unit 14 includes a display for operator 14 a which displaysvarious pieces of information toward a cashier, and a display forcustomer 14 b which displays various pieces of information toward acustomer. In addition, the display unit 14 may be configured of a touchpanel, and in this case, the touch panel functions as the operation unit12.

The code scanner 15 is a scanning unit which optically reads a codesymbol such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code. The code scanner 15reads, for example, a code symbol which is attached to merchandise, acode symbol which is displayed on the mobile terminal 7, or the like,and outputs information which is associated with the code symbol to thecontrol unit 11. In addition, with the code symbol which is attached tothe merchandise, it is assumed that a merchandise code for specifyingthe merchandise, or the like, is associated. In addition, as the codesymbol which is displayed on the mobile terminal 7, it is assumed that amembership code (customer code) for specifying a customer carrying themobile terminal 7, or the like, is associated.

In addition, the control unit 11 is connected to a communicationinterface (I/F) 16 through the bus 18, and may be connected to thein-store network N1 or the network N2 through the communicationinterface (I/F) 16.

In addition, the control unit 11 is connected to the storage unit 17through the bus 18. The storage unit 17 is, for example, an auxiliarystorage unit such as a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), or a Solid State Drive(SSD). The storage unit 17 stores a program for executing various POSbusiness including merchandise sales data processing. In addition, thestorage unit 17 stores various data files related to merchandise salesdata processing, such as a merchandise data file which includesmerchandise data such as a merchandise name, a merchandise code, and aunit price of each merchandise. In addition, the storage unit 17 storesa receipt data processing program 17 a for performing merchandise salesdata processing or processing related to receipt data.

In addition, the storage unit 17 stores a POS number for distinguishingthe own POS terminal 1 from another POS terminal 1, a company code(identification code of company which operates a store), business typeand business category codes, a store code denoting the store P1 at whichthe POS terminal 1 is provided, and the like, in an identification codemanaging region 17 b. Here, the business type and business categorycodes are codes for distinguishing a business type and a businesscategory of a store (classification code), for example, a conveniencestore, a supermarket, a department store, a pharmacy, a restaurant, aneating house, or the like. In addition, such business type and businesscategory codes may be arbitrarily selected according to a preference ofa user. In addition, the company code (identification code of companywhich operates a store), and the business type and business categorycodes may be registered in the electronic receipt server 3.

In addition, the storage unit 17 stores a receipt data schema 17 c inwhich a conversion rule for converting non-structured receipt data intostructured receipt data (hereinafter, referred to as electronic receipt)is described.

Subsequently, a configuration of the electronic receipt server 3 whichfunctions as a receipt managing server for companies will be describedusing a block diagram in FIG. 4. The electronic receipt server 3includes a control unit 31 which carries out various arithmeticcalculations and integrally controls each unit of the electronic receiptserver 3. The control unit 31 is a computer which includes a CPU, a ROMwhich stores various programs or pieces of data, a RAM which temporarilystores various programs, or stores various pieces of data in a freelyrewritable manner, an RTC unit which clocks a current date and time, andthe like.

The control unit 31 may be connected to the network N2 or the network N3through a communication I/F 32 which is connected to a bus 34. Inaddition, the control unit 31 is connected to a storage unit 33 throughthe bus 34.

The storage unit 33 stores electronic receipts of a company whichoperates one or more stores in an electronic receipt managing region 33a. The electronic receipt includes a company code (identification codeof company which operates a store), business type and business categorycodes, its store code, a membership code of a shopper, a POS number of aPOS terminal 1, a receipt number, merchandise sales data, or the like.

In addition, the storage unit 33 stores an electronic receipt managingprogram 33 b for managing the electronic receipt in the electronicreceipt managing region 33 a. In addition, the storage unit 33 stores aninformation transmission program 33 c for transmitting receipt datawhich is managed in the electronic receipt managing region 33 a to theelectronic receipt managing server 4.

Subsequently, a configuration of the electronic receipt managing server4, which functions as a receipt managing server for customers, will bedescribed using a block diagram in FIG. 5. As illustrated in FIG. 5, theelectronic receipt managing server 4 includes a control unit 41 whichcarried out various arithmetic calculations and integrally controls eachunit of the electronic receipt managing server 4. The control unit 41 isa computer which includes a CPU, a ROM which stores various programs orpieces of data, a RAM which temporarily stores various programs, orstores various pieces of data in a freely rewritable manner, an RTC unitwhich clocks a current date and time, and the like.

The control unit 41 may connect to the networks N3, N4, and N5 through acommunication I/F 42 which is connected to a bus 44. In addition, thecontrol unit 41 is connected to a storage unit 43 through the bus 44.

The storage unit 43 has the electronic receipt managing region 43 a forcollectively storing electronic receipts of various companies whichoperate stores, in addition to a member master managing region (notshown) for storing and managing a member master. More specifically, theelectronic receipt managing region 43 a manages electronic receipts ofvarious companies which manage stores for each member (customer).

The electronic receipt includes a membership code, a company code(identification code of company which operates a store), a store code, aPOS number of a POS terminal 1, a receipt number, merchandise sales data(including date and time data), or the like. Accordingly, for example, aconsumer goods manufacturer, or the like, may obtain unique informationof purchased merchandise which is related to the manufacturer from thestored electronic receipts that satisfy specific conditions (forexample, specific company which operates a store, specific region,specific time, or the like). In addition, the consumer goodsmanufacturer is, for example, a manufacturer of food, drink, clothing,cosmetics, medicines, household goods, or the like.

In addition, the storage unit 43 stores various pieces of additionalinformation in the additional information managing region 43 b incorrelation with a desired merchandise (merchandise code), a member(membership code), a company (company code), and a store (store code).Here, the additional information is promotion information related to apromotion program, or the like, which is related to, for example,information on a desired merchandise and specific conditions (forexample, specific company which operates a store, specific region,specific store, specific time, or the like). The additional informationincludes access information such as a URL associated with a homepagerelated to the promotion program of a company, a URL associated with ahomepage related to a commercial message of a company, a URL associatedwith a coupon of a company, or the like, for example.

In addition, the storage unit 43 stores the electronic receipt managingprogram 43 c for managing an electronic receipt and additionalinformation of each company in the electronic receipt managing region 43a and the additional information managing region 43 b, in addition to amember managing program (not shown) for managing the member master in amember master region. In addition, the storage unit 43 stores aninformation transmission program 43 d for transmitting an electronicreceipt and additional information of a desired merchandise to themobile terminal 7. In addition, the member master managing region, theelectronic receipt managing region 43 a, and the additional informationmanaging region 43 b correspond to the database DB, which is illustratedin FIG. 1.

Subsequently, a configuration of the mobile terminal 7 will be describedusing a block diagram in FIG. 6. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the mobileterminal 7 includes a control unit 71 which carries out variousarithmetic calculations and integrally controls each unit of the mobileterminal 7. The control unit 71 is a computer which includes a CPU, aROM which stores various programs or pieces of data, a RAM whichtemporarily stores various programs, or stores various pieces of data ina freely rewritable manner, an RTC unit which clocks a current date andtime, and the like.

The control unit 71 is connected to an operation unit 72 and a displayunit 73 through a bus 76. The operation unit 72 includes variousoperation keys with which a user (customer) performs an input operation,and a pointing device. The display unit 73 is, for example, a liquidcrystal display, or the like, and displays various pieces of informationsuch as an electronic receipt which will be described below. Inaddition, the display unit 73 may be configured of a touch panel, and inthis case, the touch panel functions as the operation unit 72.

In addition, the control unit 71 is connected to a communication I/F 74through the bus 76, and may be connected to the network N5 through thecommunication I/F 74. In addition, the control unit may be configured soas to be connected to the in-store network N1 through the communicationI/F 74.

In addition, the control unit 71 is connected to a storage unit 75through the bus 76. The storage unit 75 stores an electronic receiptcorrespondence program 75 a for receiving an electronic receipt from theelectronic receipt managing server 4, and an electronic receipt readingprogram 75 b for reading the received receipt data, in addition to a webbrowser for reading various pieces of information (contents) which arepublished on a website.

Subsequently, operations of each unit which configures the systemaccording to the embodiment will be described.

First, electronic receipt processing which is executed when the controlunit 11 of the POS terminal 1 is operated according to the receipt dataprocessing program 17 a will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to11.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, when the control unit 11 executes the receiptdata processing program 17 a a receipt data generation unit 111 whichfunctions as a receipt data generation unit and a customer codeobtaining unit, and a receipt data output unit 112 which functions as anoutput unit and a conversion unit are generated. As real hardware, whenthe CPU of the control unit 11 reads the receipt data processing program17 a from the storage unit 17, and executes the program, the abovedescribed each unit is downloaded to the RAM, and the receipt datageneration unit 111 and the receipt data output unit 112 are generatedin the RAM.

Here, the receipt data generation unit 111 is a functional unitcorresponding to an existing application which mainly performsmerchandise sales data processing and generates data for printing(receipt data) of a receipt. When obtaining a merchandise codespecifying merchandise through the code scanner 15, the receipt datageneration unit 111 reads merchandise data corresponding to themerchandise code from a merchandise data file, and executes merchandisesales data processing for calculating a settlement amount based on aunit price which is included in the merchandise data. In addition, thereceipt data generation unit 111 generates merchandise sales data whichis processed when executing the merchandise sales data processing, thatis, receipt data including transaction contents of the merchandise.

In addition, when obtaining a membership code which specifies a customerthrough the code scanner 15 at any of timings during one transaction,the receipt data generation unit 111 generates receipt data includingthe membership code.

FIG. 8 is a diagram which schematically illustrates an example ofreceipt data. Here, the receipt data is non-structured text data, or thelike, and is used in a printing by the printer 13. As illustrated inFIG. 8, the receipt data includes elements of the above describedmerchandise sales data D1 and a membership code D2. Here, themerchandise sales data D1 includes a merchandise name (merchandise code)of merchandise as a settlement target, an amount of money thereof, atotal amount of all merchandises, a deposit amount which is paid by acustomer, a change amount, or the like.

In addition, the receipt data includes elements of a company code(company name) D3 denoting a company which operates a store, a storecode (store name) D4, a telephone number of a store D5, an address D6, atransaction date and time D7, a transaction number (receipt number) D8,a register number D9, a name of a person in charge D10, and the like. Inaddition, elements which are included in the receipt data are notlimited to the example shown in FIG. 8, other elements such as businesstype and business category codes may be included, and elements such asthe telephone number D5, the address D6, or the like, may be excluded.

In addition, when the settlement key is pressed down, the receipt datageneration unit 111 determines that merchandise sales data processing ofone transaction is completed, and outputs (issues) generated receiptdata to the receipt data output unit 112 along with a cut command. Here,the cut command is one of generally-used control commands for a printer,and is command information for commanding cutting of a sheet on which animage corresponding to the receipt data is printed. In addition, thereceipt data may be collectively generated along with pressing of thesettlement key, or may be sequentially generated, every time amerchandise code or a customer code is obtained.

The receipt data output unit 112 determines an output destination of thereceipt data every time receipt data of one transaction is generated bythe receipt data generation unit 111. More specifically, when the cutcommand is issued by the receipt data generation unit 111, the receiptdata output unit 112 determines that receipt data of one transaction isgenerated. In addition, the receipt data output unit 112 determineswhether or not a membership code is included in the generated receiptdata, and outputs the receipt data to an output destination which isdetermined according to a determination result thereof.

Specifically, when determining that a membership code is not included inthe receipt data, the receipt data output unit 112 outputs the receiptdata to the printer 13 along with the cut command. In this manner, theprinter 13 prints out a paper receipt of one transaction by cutting asheet thereof according to the cut command after printing the receiptdata on the sheet. In addition, at a time of printing out, all ofelements configuring the receipt data may be printed, a membership code,or the like, may be excluded, or printing may be performed in a state inwhich other information such as an advertisement, or the like, is added.

In addition, when determining that the membership code is included inthe receipt data, the receipt data output unit 112 converts the receiptdata into a predetermined data format according to the conversion ruleof the receipt data schema 17 c. In addition, the receipt data outputunit 112 transmits (outputs) the receipt data of which the data formatis converted, i.e., an electronic receipt, to the electronic receiptserver 3 which is managed by the company corresponding to its companycode.

Here, FIG. 9 is a diagram which schematically illustrates an example ofan electronic receipt. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the electronic receiptincludes structured data (structured document) such as data of XML orCSV format. FIG. 9 illustrates an example in which each element (D1 toD10) of the receipt data illustrated in FIG. 8 is converted into an XMLformat.

A conversion of receipt data into an electronic receipt is performedbased on the conversion rule which is described in the receipt dataschema 17 c. Specifically, in the receipt data schema 17 c,predetermined elements configuring the receipt data, and attributeinformation (tag, or the like) denoting an attribute of each element aredefined. The receipt data output unit 112 generates a structuredelectronic receipt as illustrated in FIG. 9 by causing each element ofthe receipt data to be structured using corresponding attributeinformation. Since the elements which are included in the electronicreceipt may be efficiently used by generating the structured electronicreceipt in this manner, it is possible to obtain various advantages whenmanaging data.

In this manner, the receipt data output unit 112 determines that receiptdata of one transaction is generated when the cut command is issued bythe receipt data generation unit 111, and starts an output of thereceipt data. In this manner, since it is not necessary to transmit tothe receipt data output unit 112 an additional signal for commanding anend of one transaction from the receipt data generation unit 111, thereceipt data output unit 112 can perform the output of the receipt dataof one transaction without a special change with respect to the receiptdata generation unit 111 corresponding to an existing application. Inaddition, since a change of the receipt data generation unit 111 may beunnecessary, it is possible to execute an electronic receipt outputfunction while using the existing application efficiently.

In addition, the receipt data output unit 112 determines the outputdestination of the receipt data depending on whether or not themembership code is included in the receipt data. In this manner, sincean output of a paper receipt or an electronic receipt may be performedwithout preparing information on whether or not the paper receipt isnecessary with respect to each customer, it is possible to efficientlydetermine the output destination of the receipt data. In addition, forexample, since a customer (member) may select an output of the paperreceipt or the electronic receipt by inputting or not inputting themembership code in each transaction, it is possible to improveconvenience of the customer.

In addition, when outputting the receipt data to the electronic receiptserver 3, the receipt data output unit 112 converts the receipt datainto an electronic receipt in which the elements which are included inthe receipt data are structured, and outputs the electronic receipt. Inthis manner, since the elements which are included in the electronicreceipt may be efficiently used, it is possible to improve convenienceof the electronic receipt in the electronic receipt server 3 and theelectronic receipt managing server 4 which manage the electronicreceipt, or in the mobile terminal 7 which performs a display of theelectronic receipt.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart which illustrates a flow of a process of theelectronic receipt in the POS terminal 1. First, the receipt datageneration unit 111 of the POS terminal 1 determines whether or not acode symbol (merchandise code) which is attached to merchandise, or acode symbol (membership code) which is displayed on the mobile terminal7 is read by the code scanner 15 (Step S11). When the code symbol is notread (No in Step S11), the receipt data generation unit 111 proceeds toStep S16.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the code symbol is read(Yes in Step S11), the receipt data generation unit 111 determineswhether information which is obtained through the reading is amerchandise code or a membership code (Step S12).

When it is determined that the merchandise code is obtained in Step S12(Step S12; merchandise code), the receipt data generation unit 111executes merchandise sales data processing for calculating a settlementamount, based on a unit price which is included in merchandise data,when the merchandise data is read from a merchandise data file withrespect to merchandise which is specified by the merchandise code (StepS13). Subsequently, the receipt data generation unit 111 generatesreceipt data including merchandise sales data which is processed whenperforming the merchandise sales data processing (Step S14).

In addition, when it is determined that the membership code is obtainedin Step S12 (Step S12; membership code), the receipt data generationunit 111 generates receipt data including the membership code (StepS15).

Here, in order to input the membership code to the POS terminal 1, forexample, a customer displays a code symbol including a membership code,or the like, on the display unit 73 of the mobile terminal 7, and asalesclerk or the customer reads the code symbol using the code scanner15 of the POS terminal 1. In addition, the receipt data generation unit111 may have a configuration in which an exclusive process, or the like,in which a membership code which is input during one transaction becomesthe only code is performed.

In subsequent Step S16, the receipt data generation unit 111 determineswhether or not a start of a settlement processing is commanded by thepressing down of the settlement key or the like (Step S16). When thestart of the settlement processing is not commanded (No in Step S16),the process returns to Step S11. When the start of the settlementprocessing is commanded (Yes in Step S16), the receipt data generationunit 111 issues (outputs) a cut command to the receipt data output unit112 (Step S17).

When receiving the cut command from the receipt data generation unit111, the receipt data output unit 112 determines that receipt data ofone transaction is generated, and determines whether or not a membershipcode is included in the receipt data (Step S18).

When a membership code is not included in the receipt data (No in StepS18), the receipt data output unit 112 performs printing out of thereceipt data by outputting the receipt data of one transaction alongwith the cut command to the printer 13 (Step S19), and the process isended. In this manner, the printer 13 performs printing out of a paperreceipt of one transaction by cutting a sheet according to the cutcommand after printing the receipt data on the sheet.

On the other hand, when the membership code is included in the receiptdata (Yes in Step S18), the receipt data output unit 112 generates anelectronic receipt by converting a data format of the non-structuredreceipt data into structured format (Step S20). In addition, the receiptdata output unit 112 transmits the electronic receipt which is generatedthrough the communication I/F 16 to the electronic receipt server 3(Step S21), and the process is ended.

In addition, in the above described processing, when the membership codeis included in the receipt data, the receipt data is output to theelectronic receipt server 3. However, it is not limited to this, and thereceipt data may be output to both the printer 13 and the electronicreceipt server 3.

In addition, an output destination of the receipt data may be selectedwhen the membership code is included in the receipt data. For example,the mobile terminal 7 may cause the code symbol CS which will bedisplayed to include output classification information for designatingan output destination of the receipt data, and the output destinationcan be determined based on the output classification information. Inthis case, the receipt data generation unit 111 includes the outputclassification information, which is read by the code scanner 15, in thereceipt data along with the membership code. In addition, when it isdetermined that the membership code is included in the receipt data andthat the output classification information is present, the receipt dataoutput unit 112 determines an output destination of the receipt databased on the output classification information. In addition, it ispossible to designate any one of the printer 13 and the electronicreceipt server 3, or both of the printer 13 and the server 3 in theoutput classification information.

In addition, an output destination of receipt data may be selected everytime a settlement of merchandise is made. In this case, for example,when it is determined that a membership code is included in receiptdata, the receipt data output unit 112 displays an output destinationselection screen for selecting an output destination of the receipt dataon the display unit 14.

Here, FIG. 11 is a diagram which illustrates an example of an outputdestination selection screen G1 which is displayed on the display unit14. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the output destination selection screenG1 includes a first button B1 which designates the printer 13, a secondbutton B2 which designates the electronic receipt server 3, and a thirdbutton B3 which designates both the printer 13 and the electronicreceipt server 3 as operational buttons which designate an outputdestination of receipt data. When using the output destination selectionscreen G1, an operator of the POS terminal 1 asks a customer about anoutput destination of receipt data, and operates one of the buttonscorresponding to the output destination selected by the customer. Inaddition, when receiving the operation of the operator, the receipt dataoutput unit 112 outputs the receipt data to an output destinationcorresponding to the selected button.

In addition, a display of a selection screen is not limited to thedisplay for operator 14 a, and may be displayed on the display forcustomer 14 b. In addition, when the display for customer 14 b isconfigured of a touch panel, a customer himself may select an outputdestination.

In addition, a customer may confirm the output destination of thereceipt data during the merchandise sales data processing, and in such acase, the receipt data generation unit 111 displays the outputdestination selection screen G1, or the like, on the display unit 14,and the output destination corresponding to an operated operator isincluded in the receipt data as output classification information. Inaddition, when the membership code and the output classificationinformation are included in the receipt data, the receipt data outputunit 112 determines the output destination of the receipt data based onthe output classification information.

In this manner, when the membership code is included in the receiptdata, the receipt data output unit 112 receives a selection of theoutput destination of the receipt data automatically or manually. Inthis manner, since a method of determining the output destination may beflexibly switched, it is possible to efficiently determine the outputdestination of the receipt data.

Subsequently, a flow of electronic receipt managing processing which isexecuted when the control unit 31 of the electronic receipt server 3 isoperated according to the electronic receipt managing program 33 b, anda flow of information transmission processing which is executed when thecontrol unit of the electronic receipt server is operated according tothe information transmission program 33 c will be described withreference to a flowchart illustrated in FIG. 12.

When receiving an electronic receipt which is transmitted from the POSterminal 1 through the communication I/F 32 (Yes in Step S31), thecontrol unit 31 of the electronic receipt server 3 stores the electronicreceipt of a company in the electronic receipt managing region 33 a ofthe storage unit 33 (Step S32). In addition, the control unit 31 of theelectronic receipt server 3 transmits the electronic receipt which isstored in Step S32 to the electronic receipt managing server 4 (StepS33), and the process returns to Step S31.

In addition, at a preset transmission timing (No in Step S31→Yes in StepS34), the control unit 31 of the electronic receipt server 3 transmitsthe electronic receipt which is stored and managed in the electronicreceipt managing region 33 a to the electronic receipt managing server 4(Step S35), and the process returns to Step S31. By the transmission inStep S35, it is possible to transmit an electronic receipt which isomitted from transmission targets in Step S33, for example, to theelectronic receipt managing server 4. In addition, in Step S35, acontrol of transmitting only a non-transmitted electronic receipt may bepossible.

Subsequently, a flow of electronic receipt managing processing which isexecuted when the control unit 41 of the electronic receipt managingserver 4 is operated according to the electronic receipt managingprogram 43 c, and a flow of merchandise information transmissionprocessing which is executed when the control unit of the electronicreceipt managing server is operated according to the informationtransmission program 43 d will be described with reference to afunctional block diagram illustrated in FIG. 13, and a flowchartillustrated in FIG. 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, when the control unit 41 executes theelectronic receipt managing program 43 c and the informationtransmission program 43 d, a module configuration including a receptionunit 411 which functions as a reception unit, an electronic receiptmanaging unit 412, and an electronic receipt transmission unit 413 isgenerated. As real hardware, when the CPU of the control unit 41 readsout the electronic receipt managing program 43 c and the informationtransmission program 43 d from the storage unit 43, and executes theprograms, each above described unit is loaded to the RAM, and thereception unit 411, the electronic receipt managing unit 412, and theelectronic receipt transmission unit 413 are generated in the RAM.

The reception unit 411 includes a company code which denotes a companyoperating a store, and receives a receipt which is printed and issued ata time of merchandise sales data processing, or an electronic receipt ona company basis which is electronically processed instead of thereceipt, from the electronic receipt server 3.

The electronic receipt managing unit 412 stores the electronic receipton the company basis which is received by the reception unit 411 in theelectronic receipt managing region 43 a of the storage unit 43, andmanages the electronic receipt. In addition, the electronic receiptmanaging unit 412 stores additional information such as promotioninformation related to a promotion program which is correlated with adesired merchandise and elements of specific conditions (for example,limiting to specific company which operates a store, limiting tospecific region, limiting to specific time, or the like) in theadditional information managing region 43 b of the storage unit 43, andmanages the additional information.

The electronic receipt transmission unit 413 obtains an electronicreceipt which is correlated with the membership code, and includes oneor more company codes from the electronic receipt managing region 43 a,and transmits the electronic receipt to the mobile terminal 7 which iscorrelated with a membership code of a predetermined shopper. Inaddition, when additional information is correlated with the elementsconfiguring the electronic receipt, the electronic receipt transmissionunit 413 obtains the additional information from the additionalinformation managing region 43 b, and transmits the additionalinformation to the mobile terminal along with the electronic receipt.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the reception unit 411 of the electronicreceipt managing server 4 determines whether or not the electronicreceipt which is transmitted from the electronic receipt server 3 ineach company is received through the communication I/F 42 (Step S41).

When it is determined that the electronic receipt is received (Yes inStep S41), the electronic receipt managing unit 412 of the electronicreceipt managing server 4 stores the electronic receipt of each companyin the electronic receipt managing region 43 a of the storage unit 43(Step S42). Here, when there is additional information which isassociated with elements of stored electronic receipt (merchandise code,membership code, company code, store code, or the like), the additionalinformation is correlated with the elements. Subsequently, theelectronic receipt transmission unit 413 transmits the electronicreceipt which is stored in Step S42 to a transmission destination(mobile terminal 7) which is managed by being correlated with amembership code of the electronic receipt (Step S43), and the processreturns to Step S41. In addition, in Step S43, when additionalinformation is correlated with the electronic receipt, the additionalinformation is also transmitted to the transmission destination.

In addition, when there is an inquiry of an electronic receipt from themobile terminal 7 (No in Step S41→Yes in Step S44), the electronicreceipt transmission unit 413 of the electronic receipt managing server4 extracts an electronic receipt which is stored and managed in theelectronic receipt managing region 43 a according to contents of theinquiry of the electronic receipt (Step S45), and then transmits theelectronic receipt to the mobile terminal 7 which made the inquiry (StepS46), and the process returns to Step S41. In addition, in Step S46,when additional information is correlated with the electronic receipt,the additional information is also transmitted to the mobile terminal 7which made the inquiry.

Subsequently, a flow of electronic receipt reception processing which isexecuted when the control unit 71 of the mobile terminal 7 is operatedaccording to an electronic receipt correspondence program 75 a, and aflow of electronic receipt reading processing which is executed when thecontrol unit of the mobile terminal is operated according to anelectronic receipt reading program 75 b will be described with referenceto FIGS. 15 to 17.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the control unit 71 executes the electronicreceipt correspondence program 75 a and the electronic receipt readingprogram 75 b, a module configuration including a member correlating unit711, an electronic receipt reception unit 712, and an electronic receiptdisplay unit 713 is generated. As real hardware, when the CPU of thecontrol unit 71 reads out the electronic receipt correspondence program75 a and the electronic receipt reading program 75 b from the storageunit 75, and executes the programs, each above described unit is loadedto the RAM, and the member correlating unit 711, the electronic receiptreception unit 712, and the electronic receipt display unit 713 aregenerated in the RAM.

The member correlating unit 711 causes the mobile terminal 7 and amembership code of a predetermined shopper to be correlated with eachother. The electronic receipt reception unit 712 receives an electronicreceipt from the electronic receipt managing server 4. The electronicreceipt display unit 713 causes the electronic receipt which is receivedby the electronic receipt reception unit 712 to be displayed on thedisplay unit 73.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, first, the member correlating unit 711 of themobile terminal 7 executes authentication processing by accessing theelectronic receipt managing server 4 in response to input of amembership code and a password (Step S51). In this manner, the mobileterminal 7 and the membership code of the predetermined shopper arecorrelated with each other.

After the authentication, the electronic receipt reception unit 712 ofthe mobile terminal 7 receives an electronic receipt which is stored andmanaged in the electronic receipt managing region 43 a of the electronicreceipt managing server 4 by corresponding to the input membership code(Step S52). In addition, when additional information is correlated withthe electronic receipt, the additional information is also received fromthe electronic receipt managing server 4. In addition, receipt data maybe received through an email.

Subsequently, the electronic receipt display unit 713 of the mobileterminal 7 causes the electronic receipt, or the like, which is receivedby the electronic receipt reception unit 712 to be displayed on thedisplay unit 73 (Step S53), and the process is ended.

FIG. 17 is a diagram which illustrates an example of an electronicreceipt G2 which is displayed on the display unit 73 of the mobileterminal 7. The electronic receipt G2 is displayed with the same layoutor contents as that of a receipt which is printed on a sheet. Inaddition, in the electronic receipt G2, it is possible to focus onmerchandise “a”, or the like, denoting a transaction merchandise, usinga cursor which is subject to an input of the operation unit 72. Inaddition, FIG. 17 shows an example in which a store name logo portionG21 at which a logo of a store name is displayed, and a banner displayportion G22 at which an advertisement, or the like, is displayed areprovided in the electronic receipt G2.

In addition, a display format of receipt data does not necessarily matchan image of a receipt which is printed on a sheet. However, the receiptdata substitutes for a paper receipt, and is electronic merchandisepurchase certification information which certificates purchasing ofmerchandise. Therefore, since the receipt data is used in a case ofbeing presented as the merchandise purchase certification information inFIG. 17, an example in which the following information is displayed isillustrated.

-   -   store name    -   purchase date and time    -   specification of purchased merchandise    -   total sales amount    -   deposit amount    -   change amount    -   register number    -   transaction number

Here, when a URL (access information) of the promotion managing server6, or the like, is set as additional information of any of themerchandise “a”, the hyperlink is embedded in a correspondingmerchandise name, or an icon b, or the like, as an operator forcommanding access to the URL is displayed.

For example, when the access destination which is denoted by the URL isa server device which receives an access to a predetermined campaign(for example, promotion managing server 6), the control unit 71 of themobile terminal 7 accesses the promotion managing server 6 according topressing down of the icon b, or the like, and displays information ofthe campaign. A membership code of own apparatus which is included inreceipt data, or the like, may be transmitted when accessing an accessdestination. In addition, in the promotion managing server 6, an accesshistory in each type of campaign is managed by being correlated with amembership code for identifying each member.

In addition, when receiving a plurality of pieces of receipt data, aselection screen from which each piece of receipt data may be selectedbased on a purchase date, a company code, or the like, which is includedin the receipt data may be displayed. In this case, the electronicreceipt display unit 713 causes receipt data which is selected from theselection screen to be displayed on the display unit 73.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms. Furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

For example, according to the embodiment, a membership code, or thelike, is obtained by the code scanner 15. However, it is not limited tothis, and the membership code, or the like, may be obtained using othermethods. Specifically, a membership code, or the like, may betransmitted and received through a short range wireless communicationwith a short range wireless communication unit such as a Near FieldCommunication (NFC), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like, inthe POS terminal 1 and the mobile terminal 7. In this case, the mobileterminal 7 is assumed to maintain a membership code, or the like, in thestorage unit 75, an IC tag (not shown), or the like.

In addition, according to the embodiment, a membership code, or thelike, is obtained from the mobile terminal 7. However, it is not limitedto this, and the membership code, or the like, may be obtained from amedium such as an IC card, a magnetic card, or the like, which mayinclude the membership code. In addition, when using the IC card, thePOS terminal 1 is assumed to include a reading-writing unit such as anIC card reader-writer. In addition, when using the magnetic card, thePOS terminal 1 is assumed to include a card reader, a card writer, orthe like, for the magnetic card.

In addition, according to the embodiment, the electronic receipt server3 is provided at the head office P2. However, it is not limited to this,and the electronic receipt server 3 for a store may be provided in thestore P1. In this case, the POS terminal 1 outputs an electronic receiptto the electronic receipt server 3 which is connected to the in-storenetwork N1 of the store, and the electronic receipt server 3 transmitsthe electronic receipt to the electronic receipt managing server 4through the in-store network N1 and the network N2.

In addition, according to the embodiment, an electronic receipt which isgenerated in the POS terminal 1 is output to the electronic receiptmanaging server 4 through the electronic receipt server 3. However, itis not limited to this, and the electronic receipt may be directlyoutput to the electronic receipt managing server 4 by accessing theelectronic receipt managing server 4 through the network N3 from the POSterminal 1.

In addition, according to the embodiment, the mobile terminal 7 receivesan electronic receipt through the electronic receipt managing server 4.However, it is not limited to this, and the electronic receipt may bedirectly received from the POS terminal 1. In this case, the POSterminal 1 outputs a generated electronic receipt to the mobile terminal7 which is connected through the in-store network N1 or a short rangewireless communication unit (not shown). In addition, in this case,authentication processing may be performed in the POS terminal 1.

In addition, according to the embodiment, the merchandise data file isstored in the POS terminal 1. However, it is not limited to this, andthe store server 2 may store the merchandise data file so that the filemay be referred to from the POS terminal 1.

What is claimed is:
 1. A receipt data processing device comprising: anobtaining section configured to obtain customer code of a customer; adata generating section configured to generate receipt data of a firstdata format including information about an item purchased by thecustomer and also the customer code in case the customer code isobtained; an output section configured to determine whether or not thegenerated receipt data in the first data format includes the customercode and select one of a printing device and an external device that isdifferent from the printing device, to be an output destination, basedon the determination; and a converting section configured to convert adata format of the receipt data from the first data format to a seconddata format that is different from the first data format, wherein theoutput section is further configured to output the receipt data in thefirst data format if the printing device is selected to be the outputdestination and in the second data format if the external device isselected to be the output destination.
 2. The receipt data processingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the first data format is anunstructured data format, and the second data format is a structureddata format.
 3. The receipt data processing device according to claim 2,wherein the second data format is XML format or CSV format.
 4. Thereceipt data processing device according to claim 1, wherein theconverting section converts the data format of the receipt data when thereceipt data is determined to include the customer code.
 5. The receiptdata processing device according to claim 4, wherein the output sectionselects the printing device to be the output destination when thereceipt data is determined to not include the customer code.
 6. Thereceipt data processing device according to claim 4, wherein the outputsection selects the external device to be the output destination whenthe receipt data is determined to include the customer code.
 7. A methodfor processing receipt data, comprising: carrying out an obtainingprocess to obtain customer code of a customer; generating receipt dataof a first data format including information about an item purchased bythe customer and also the customer code in case the customer code isobtained; determining whether or not the generated receipt data includesthe customer code: selecting one of a printing device and an externaldevice that is different from the printing device to be an outputdestination, based on the determination; converting a data format of thereceipt data from the first data format to a second data format that isdifferent from the first data format when the receipt data is determinedto include the customer code; and outputting the receipt data in thefirst data format if the printing device is selected to be the outputdestination and in the second data format if the external device isselected to be the output destination.
 8. The method according to claim7, wherein the first data format is an unstructured data format, and thesecond data format is a structured data format.
 9. The method accordingto claim 8, wherein the second data format is XML format or CSV format.10. The method according to claim 7, wherein the printing device isselected to be the output destination when the receipt data isdetermined to not include the customer code.
 11. The method according toclaim 7, wherein the external device is selected to be the outputdestination when the receipt data is determined to include the customercode.
 12. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a programthat is executable in a computer system to cause the computer system toperform a method for processing receipt data, the method comprising:carrying out an obtaining process to obtain customer code of a customer;generating receipt data of a first data format including informationabout an item purchased by a customer and also the customer code in casethe customer code is obtained; determining whether or not the generatedreceipt data includes the customer code: selecting one of a printingdevice and an external device that is different from the printing deviceto be an output destination, based on the determination; converting adata format of the receipt data from the first data format to a seconddata format that is different from the first data format when thereceipt data is determined to include the customer code; and outputtingthe receipt data in the first data format if the printing device isselected to be the output destination and in the second data format ifthe external device is selected to be the output destination.
 13. Thenon-transitory computer readable medium of claim 12, wherein the firstdata format is an unstructured data format, and the second data formatis a structured data format.
 14. The non-transitory computer readablemedium of claim 13, wherein the second data format is XML format or CSVformat.
 15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 12,wherein the external device is selected to be the output destinationwhen the receipt data is determined to include the customer code.